# Gas grill on Bronx terrace **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820 "2011-05-31T03:27:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anchuldigs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anchuldigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anchuldigs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/1 "2011-05-31T03:27:33Z")
I’ve searched high and low and I haven’t been able to determine if it is legal to use a propane grill on a terrace (balcony) in the Bronx. I know it’s illegal in Manhattan. Does anyone know about the Bronx? BTW, my lease and the “house rules” don’t prohibit it. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/2 "2011-05-31T03:58:58Z")
Why not call 311? They can probably direct you to the correct agency for the info you need (or, just thought of this - call your local assemblyman and/or state senator. They have staff who can probably find the answer for you as well). Sorry I don’t have a more definitive answer, but anecdotally speaking many people in Brooklyn use propane grills on their porch/terraces. The housing project by me technically forbids it, but everyone uses them without any complaints from management. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/3 "2011-05-31T04:08:55Z")
If I’m reading [this](http://www.dos.state.ny.us/DCEA/pdf/TB03-lpg.pdf) correctly, you can’t use it on an apartment balcony anywhere in New York State. > [@](#): > > For all occupancies other than one- and two-family dwellings, the regulations are more restrictive for combustible > buildings and combustible balconies or decks. Regardless of the fuel type, open flame cooking devices are not > permitted to be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction [FCNYS 307.5]. If the > balconies, decks and buildings are protected by an automatic sprinkler system, LP-gas grills are still not permitted, > but other open-flame cooking devices are allowed within the 10 feet. ETA, reading it closer, you would be safe if the apartment was brick and the balcony was made of metal…I think. EETA, you could probably still get busted on a technicality if the door frame was wood though. ---
**Author:** ![Anchuldigs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anchuldigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anchuldigs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/4 "2011-05-31T04:16:09Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > If I’m reading [this](http://www.dos.state.ny.us/DCEA/pdf/TB03-lpg.pdf) correctly, you can’t use it on an apartment balcony anywhere in New York State. > > ETA, reading it closer, you would be safe if the apartment was brick and the balcony was made of metal…I think. > > EETA, you could probably still get busted on a technicality if the door frame was wood though. That only applies to combustible balconies. My balcony is concrete. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/5 "2011-05-31T04:30:04Z")
> [@Anchuldigs](#): > > That only applies to combustible balconies. My balcony is concrete. It doesn’t apply to combustible balconies, it applies to the use of open fire cooking appliances within 10 feet of residential dwellings in the state of New York. It happens to mention that you can’t use them on a combustible balcony or within 10 feet of a combustible building. If your balcony is concrete, the railing is metal, the building is brick and you aren’t otherwise within 10 feet of anything combustible, you’re probably in the clear. But I’d strongly suggest you call the local fire department and ask them to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Anchuldigs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anchuldigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anchuldigs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/6 "2011-05-31T04:52:23Z")
“Regardless of the fuel type, open flame cooking devices are not permitted to be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction” Neither my balcony nor my building is combustible. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/7 "2011-05-31T05:04:40Z")
> [@Anchuldigs](#): > > “Regardless of the fuel type, open flame cooking devices are not permitted to be used on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction” > > Neither my balcony nor my building is combustible. That that’s your answer, directly from your state’s government. When I looked earlier, I couldn’t find the statutes online for Bronx County, but I’d imagine they’re on the net somewhere. They may be stricter then these. If not, you’re probably in the clear. Otherwise, I’m not sure why you keep questioning it. The law tells you what you can’t do, (in most cases) you’re not going to find something telling you that it’s okay to do something. ---
**Author:** ![Anchuldigs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anchuldigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anchuldigs)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/8 "2011-05-31T05:19:45Z")
Only because I know it’s illegal to even have a propane tank in Manhattan. I expect that there would at least be some restrictions in the rest of NYC as well. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2011, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-grill-on-bronx-terrace/583820/9 "2011-05-31T06:38:42Z")
According to [this article](http://www.habitatmag.com/Publication-Content/2009-December/Web-Exclusives/NY-Court-Ruling-on-Barbecue-Safety/Barbecue-p.2), and [this brochure](http://home2.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/safety/summer_safety_english.pdf) from the NYFD, is is illegal to operate a propane grill on a residential property with three or more residences. The brochure also says specifically it is illegal to store or use a propane grill the balcony of an apartment building.